On Apple and Its (Enviable) Problems

By

Yukari Iwatani Kane

Updated Oct. 18, 2010 12:01 am ET

Oh, to have Apple Inc.'s kind of problem. While consumer confidence remains weak, the strength of Apple's quarterly results Monday will depend largely on how fast it has been able to meet demand for products such as iPhones and iPads.

Despite complaints about the iPhone 4's antenna, consumer demand for the smartphone has been insatiable since its late-June launch. The iPad not only has kept up strong sales, but it also has helped whet users' appetite for Macintosh computers. IPod sales have been on the decline, but the debut...